Justin Kahn

We recently had an opportunity to go hands-on with the Joué Play MPE controller. The multi-touch musical input device is the latest from the brand, designed to offer a tactile musical expression controller along the lines of the ROLI Seaboard, Sensel Morph, and things of that nature. Delivering both a casual musical instrument to play and record via the companion app as well as something that can quickly become a more professional-grade MPE controller (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) via an update, it’s time to take a closer look to see what the Joué Play system offers to both parties in our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review. 

Bellroy – maker of all things EDC from carriers and cable organizers to wallets, phone cases, and more – has just unveiled its new cooler bags. The brand has quickly become one of our favorite mid-tier options out there for its high-quality and functional designs that don’t break the bank – I use one of its cable organizer cases everyday. Today we are taking a look at its latest releases with the new Cooler Caddy and Cooler Tote bags. Head below for a closer look. 

It’s time to take a look at the new MacBook Air bag from WaterField. Designed to accommodate the latest 13-inch M2 Apple MacBook Air (or just about any other laptop) and launching on the heels of the brand’s canvas magnetic M2 MacBook Air sleeve, the new WaterField Vitesse Musette Plus bag aims to be the ultimate commuter-messenger-style bag. Head below for a closer look.

Just after launching the new overhauled PlayStation Plus program, Sony is readying something called PlayStation Stars. The new loyalty program of sorts gives gamers a chance at scoring some free digital collectibles, PSN wallet funds (basically free money to spend on the digital PlayStation Store for games and DLC), and “select PlayStation Store products.” Head below for more details on the upcoming, free-to-join PlayStation Stars program. 

WaterField is unveiling its new M2 MacBook Air sleeve today. To coincide with new M2 MacBook Air going up for pre-order this morning for the first time, as you might know from our coverage of the first price drop on the M2 MacBook Pro variant, WaterField has unleashed its latest magnetic sheath to provide a handcrafted home for your new Apple notebook. Now available for pre-order with a July 15, 2022 shipping date, you can get all of the details and a closer look at the new WaterField M2 MacBook Air sleeve down below. 

SANDMARC – maker of iPhoneography gear, Apple accessories, and more – is launching is new MagSafe dock today. Known officially as the Flex Dock it delivers a portable-ready home for your MagSafe iPhone 12 or 13 as well as an Apple Watch that makes use of the chargers you might already have. It – much like the new pro edition iPhone tripod rig we just went hands-on with – features a more premium solution in a patent-pending fold-up design and is now available for pre-order. Head below for a closer look. 

If you’re still asking what day is Prime Day? Or when is Prime Day this year? It is time to ensure you’re ready to go. “What day is Prime Day?” is a simple question to answer now that everything has been confirmed for next week on July 12 and 13. Set to easily go down as the biggest shopping event of the year thus far, in many cases the Prime Day price drops rival the Black Friday offers without the massive hysteria of rushing the storefronts. Amazon’s two-day shopping event delivers deep price drops across just about every product category, and we here at 9to5Toys are looking to make sure you know exactly when Prime Day deals go live (some of them have already and will do before the official July 12 start date) and to help optimize the savings for you and your family.

Update: Pre-orders for God of War Ragnarök are now live at Amazon and you’ll also find the Collector’s Edition & Jötnar Edition pre-orders directly from Sony.

The wait has finally come to an end as Sony and developer Santa Monica studios have taken to the official PlayStation blog to unveil the God of War Ragnarök release date. The highly-anticipated sequel, once believed to see delays into 2023, will indeed be launching ahead of the holidays this year in November. Set for release on PlayStation 4 and PS5, the sequel to 2018’s epic reboot of the series is set to once again star Kratos and son Atreus as exemplified in today’s new Father and Son CG Trailer. Alongside the release date and new footage, Sony has dished up a series of new images, details on pre-order bonuses, and all the different editions of God of War Ragnarök. Head below for a closer look. 

Today we are getting our first good look at the new Nintendo Switch console known as the OLED Model Splatoon 3 Edition. While technically just a themed version of the latest hybrid machine from the brand, the new Nintendo Switch console will be splashing down come early August just before the matching Splatoon 3 Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and Nintendo Switch Splatoon 3 Edition Carrying Case. Head below for a closer look at everything. 

After SANDMARC unleashed its latest last month, it is now time for our review of its Pro Edition iPhone Tripod. Having had a chance to go hands-on with some of its other gear, we were excited to get a closer look at the latest iPhone mount. Ready for upright filmmaking and handheld action shots, the new metal construction on the SANDMARC iPhone Tripod Pro Edition is looking to deliver a high-quality solution to just about any iPhoneography kit and it is now time for a deeper dive as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature. 

Bellroy has now launched its new Tech Briefcase. Best known for its range of iPhone cases, travel gear, wallets, tech organizer carriers, and really all things EDC-related at this point, Bellroy has quickly become a standout brand after regularly appearing in our best of iPhone cover roundups and having a chance to go hands-on with some of its tech bags and organizers. The new Tech Briefcase is looking to neatly encapsulate your EDC, including everything from your MacBook and tablets, to cable organizers, documents, and just about anything else you might need to lug around on your daily travels with a “tech-friendly [design] without looking too nerdy.” Head below for more details and a closer look. 

Outside of what you might call the more modern era of vintage games (SNES, NES, SEGA, etc.), Atari consoles have been the home for some of the best retro games out there. Going back roughly half a century, for many Atari represents the golden era of home gaming and was a major player in the formation of the worldwide industry as we know it today. Started back in 1972, Atari has now announced a brand new collection of some of the best retro games it has been responsible for over the years soon to be landing on your current-generation hardware known as Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration. 

Today, PowerA is unleashing its new mobile game controller known as the MOGA XP7-X Plus. Joining the MOGA XP5-X Plus Bluetooth Controller, the brand’s XP5-A model, and the MOGA Mobile Gaming Clip 2.0 for Xbox Controllers, the new MOGA XP7-X Plus features a wraparound design that looks to take on the likes of Razer’s previous generation Kishi variant and the latest Android model that just launched at the beginning of the month. The new controller is now available for purchase with a mid-July shipping date. Head below for a closer look at the new PowerA MOGA XP7-X Plus mobile game controller. 

Persona for Switch has now been confirmed. Nintendo hosted a new Direct Mini Partner Showcase today to detail some of the notable third-party titles hitting its hybrid home and portable gaming platform today. There were some expected announcements alongside what is arguably the most exciting of the bunch – the new Persona Switch ports. Alongside details on release dates for the upcoming Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope sequel, Nier: Automata The End of YoRHa Edition, and a few others, we now know the Persona for Switch rumors have finally come true as three of the biggest games in the series are set to land on Nintendo’s platform later this year. Head below for more details on that and more from today’s Direct Mini Partner Showcase. 

Caudabe is introducing its first PD charger today. Officially known as Conductor, the new wall plug adapter from Caudabe carries over the design philosophy the brand has been known for with its iPhone case collection for many years – its yearly lineups are a mainstay in our annual best iPhone cases of the year roundups – to its very first charger. Delivering a compact ultrasonically welded power solution, it’s time to take a closer look at the new Caudabe PD charger as well as the introductory bundle sale price. 

Focusrite unleashed its new Vocaster audio interfaces at the top of the month with a pair of podcasting-focused recording solutions for content creators. The Vocaster Two delivers a more full-featured setup with the trimmed-down Vocaster One providing a single microphone input and a more streamlined set of I/O. The latest solutions from Focusrite lean more towards spoken-word broadcasting, but feature a similar affordable approach that has made the brand’s Scarlet lineup of audio interfaces so popular among home music producers and the like. After having a chance to put the base model through its paces over the last few weeks, it’s time for our Focusrite Vocaster One review as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature. 

Update: We have now posted our new 2023 edition of the best MIDI keyboards for Mac and iPad.

After introducing its new MPK Mini Play MK3 back in March, AKAI has now unleashed its exciting new MPC Key 61. While that might, to some, sound like another version of its iconic drum pad and sequencer machines, MPC Key 61 is described as the brand’s first stand-alone all-in-one production synthesizer keyboard. While there doesn’t appear to be analog synthesis at play here, the new AIO machine essentially combines the brand’s drum sequencing with a host of virtual instruments and samplers as well as some audio inputs to deliver a complete stand-alone music production rig with no computer needed. Head below for a closer look at the new AKAI MPC Key 61. 

Today we are taking a look at the new Moment Anamorphic Lens. Moment has quickly become one of the biggest names in the iPhoneography space, not to mention among our favorite, but it has now unveiled its new and very first big camera lens. The Moment 1.33x Anamorphic Adapter effectively delivers a classic anamorphic treatment to your current lenses that’s “easier to use than anything else on the market” with ever wider compatibility, according to Moment. Head below for a closer look at the Moment Anamorphic Lens adapter. 

Exploding Kittens has been one of the best party card games out there for a while and is among the most popular on Amazon. A “Russian Roulette” card game for adults, teens, and kids, it’s sort of like UNO but with “goats, magical enchiladas, and kittens” that make you explode. And once they do, you’re out of the game forcing you to wait for the next round, until now. Today, the creator of the game is announcing the next addition to its lineup of hit party card games with Zombie Kittens. Head below for a closer look. 

Today, V-MODA is unleashing its new headphones known as the S-80. The brand has become well known for its unique, sharp angular design approach and use of premium materials, but this time around V-MODA is issuing new headphones they say also double as a “personal speaker system.” The S-80 are not only the brand’s “first all-wireless headphones,” but they also feature a sort of flipping design that allows them to be used as a personal around the neck speaker setup. Head below for a closer look. 

Moog is one of the most established synthesizer makers out there, delivering some of the best analog gear on the market for many years ranging from higher-end all-in-one machines to its stable of semi-modular synths that now includes the new Moog Mavis. Joining the Mother-32, DFAM, Subharmonicon, Grandmother, and Matriarch instruments, the Moog Mavis enters on the more entry-level side of things with a $349 price tag and a build-it-yourself experience that, after going hands-on with the powerful little semi-modular, features quite an extensive range of sound design possibilities in a tight package. Head below for our impressions of the user and building experience on the new Moog Mavis. 

SANDMARC – maker of iPhoneography gear, cases, and more – is out with its new iPhone tripod. The SANDMARC Tripod Pro Edition is described as a full-sized tripod made from what the brand refers to as high-grade aluminum and a versatile ball-head to take your “iPhone content to new heights.” We were big fans of the brand’s gorgeous leather iPhone 13 case after getting a chance to go hands-on with it and its all metal camera housing, but now it’s time to take a closer look at its latest Apple handset accessory. Head below for more details and an exclusive pre-order discount. 

Recent data mining efforts and patent filings are suggesting the new Valve VR headset might very well be on the way. Back in 2019 Valve unleashed its Index headset, but rumors have been surfacing for quite some time that the company was hard at work on the next-generation Valve VR headset and recent hints seems to point at that becoming a reality sooner than later. While nothing has been confirmed in any official capacity at this point, the new Valve VR headset code-named Deckard seems to have been featured in a recently spotted patent alongside development related tools found inside the latest SteamVR beta. Head below for more details. 

The latest Final Fantasy VII news is on the way. On the heels of the big Xbox and Bethesda showcase as well as the lengthy Summer Game Fest main event, Square Enix has scheduled a special Final Fantasy presentation for this evening. While it’s rumored that Sony will potentially have another event at the end of the month, tonight’s Square Enix showcase essentially caps off the summer reveal season. It appears as though it will be a “short and sweet” broadcast centered around the Final Fantasy VII 25th anniversary, but that could mean a number of things, including part 2 of Final Fantasy VII remake. Head below to follow along with tonight’s Square Enix show. 

Update: All 30 of the FREE Amazon Prime games are now up for the taking! 

With Amazon’s massive discount event now officially confirmed for mid-July, we will also be getting a slew of FREE games for Prime Day 2022 as well. We are expecting to see a number of notable add-on promotions surrounding the event, much like the Stampcards program that will land you a free $10 credit to use on Prime Day, and that will also be including some FREE games. Members of Amazon’s all-encompassing service will be able to land 30 FREE games ahead of Prime Day this year, and we aren’t just talking about complete throw-away titles and indie PC titles. Head below for all of the details. 

A PlayStation 5 pro controller might be in the works. What could be the PlayStation 5 DualSense Pro controller is apparently on the verge of being officially revealed, according to an industry insider with more than one source close to the matter. Sony never really attempted its own pro-grade, first-party gamepad for its previous-generation console the way Microsoft did with its Elite Series 2, but if these rumors ring true, we might very well be seeing a new PlayStation 5 pro controller before the month is out. Head below for more details on the alleged DualSense Pro, an upcoming showcase event, and details on the God of War Ragnarok release date. 

Today, Moog is introducing a new budget-friendly analog semi-modular synth known as Mavis. Moog – named after the legendary synth designer Robert Moog who is largely responsible for essentially creating the analog synthesizer as we know it – still makes some of the best analog sound makers on the planet, and has now unleashed one of its more affordable points of entry to the semi-modular world. The new Mavis delivers a standalone synthesis and sound design experience that can also be integrated into larger interconnected Moog or Eurorack systems making for a notable option for modular beginners and experienced synthesists alike. Head below for a closer look at the new Moog Mavis semi-modular synthesizer. 

While we await the rumored Game Boy library, Nintendo added some new titles to the Switch Online game list. This time around it is the base-tier Super Nintendo library that is seeing some new games in the form of three special edition versions of some classic SNES Kirby titles. The latest in the Kirby series, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, hit the Switch library back in March to positive critical reviews just before Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards landed on the N64 Switch Online game list, but subscribers of Nintendo’s online service can now enjoy SP versions of Kirby Super Star, Kirby’s Dream Land 3, and Kirby’s Dream Course. More details below. 

All of Friday’s best Mac and iOS app deals are now organized for you below as we head into the weekend. Just make sure you swing over to this morning’s coverage of Apple’s new Mac Studio with M1 Max performance now that it’s $100 off the going rate alongside the rest of this week’s Apple hardware deals including the latest 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro. Today’s app deals are highlighted by titles like Swapperoo, Quell+, Castles of Mad King Ludwig, SkySafari 7 Plus, and more. Head below for a closer look at all of Friday’s best Mac and iOS app discounts. 

In today’s best game deals, Nintendo is now offering digital pre-orders of the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge for $22.49 via the eShop. Regularly $25 for a digital copy and $35 in physical form at Amazon, this is the first price drop and a great chance to land a copy on day one at a discount (releases June 16, 2022). With up to 6-player co-op on the way, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is looking to bring players back to the 2D golden era of TMNT games. With smooth pixel art-style graphics and gameplay “rooted in timeless classic brawling mechanics,” Shredder’s Revenge delivers a nostalgic experience with modern mechanics as you attempt to take down the Foot Clan. Head below for deals on Forza Horizon 5, It Takes Two, OlliOlli World, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II pre-orders, and more. 

While E3 2022 may have officially been canceled, Geoff Keighley of The Game Awards fame is helping the cause with this year’s edition of Summer Game Fest. While Microsoft and Bethesda have a big summer showcase set for this weekend, the big midyear game reveals and announcements are kicking off right now with the Summer Game Fest livestream. Alongside an appearance from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, we are expecting to see more on the upcoming Call of Duty title as well as the latest coming out of Gotham City, Capcom titles, and more. Head below to follow along with today’s Summer Game Fest stream. 

With Sony’s refreshed PlayStation Plus service quickly approaching, Microsoft is now set to expand the reach of its game streaming service with Xbox Game Pass on Samsung displays. Microsoft has been saying that its Game Pass service would land on smart TVs for a while now, but the Ultimate tier will be directly available on what appears to be just about all of the 2022 lineup of Samsung models later this month, according to today’s press release. Full details below. 

It’s time explore the wild new DOODLESTATION synthesizer concept from artist Love Hultén. The creator of jaw dropping tech gadgets and wacky conceptual (although quite functional) workstations turned works of art, Hultén is a favorite around here for retro-inspired musical gear and gaming crossover consoles, among other things. Today the eye-catching new DOODLESTATION synthesizer console has been unveiled and we are ready to take a closer look at this gorgeous Frankenstein of a music making desk. Head below for all of the details. 

Update: After unveiling the Android-only version back in June, the iPhone edition of Razer’s Kishi V2 controller is now up for pre-order. It is available for $99.99 directly from Razer or bundled with headsets and earbuds on Amazon for $200. 

Razer has unveiled the second-generation Kishi V2 mobile controller grip. The first-generation model has been a popular solution among portable iOS and Android gamers for quite some time, and while the V2 version for Apple’s handsets will be coming down the pipeline at a later time, today we are getting a good look at the Kishi V2 mobile controller for (just about) everyone else. Head below for a closer look at the new Razer Android Kishi V2. 

The Hot Wheels Unleashed car list is about to get injected with a series of new rides courtesy of the Vol.3 expansion content. Hot Wheels Unleashed brings those mini die-cast cars to current-generation consoles (and PC) with over 60 different rides, but it will soon be expanding its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle offerings alongside a series of other nostalgic-themed crossovers and the iconic Looney Tunes. In partnership with Warner Bros., Bugs Bunny and friends will be racing into your basement starting in July with a new track builder module, the Looney Tunes Adventure Park, and more. Head below for more details on the soon-to-be updated Hot Wheels Unleashed car list and upcoming DLC content.

Legendary audio recording company Neve might have just unveiled the best USB audio interface out there. Responsible for engineering the recording desks and consoles many of the most iconic albums in history had the honor of being recorded on, Neve is unleashing is expertise (and world class pre-amps) on a home and portable interface known as the 88M. Delivering the “the legendary sound of AIR, Abbey Road and Capitol Studios into your home,” the new 88M might very well be one of the best USB audio interfaces on the market, just expect to pay a price that comes along with that moniker. More details below. 

Casely is now offering 50% off its iPhone battery cases alongside 30% off its new Pride collection gear. The iPhone battery cases are available for iPhone 11 right through to the latest 13 series models and are now at some of the best prices we have tracked, with an additional 10% off the previous sale prices. The wireless charging-compatible cases are available in a wide variety of colorways and designs to update your summer EDC with a major discount in tow today. Head below for more details on the iPhone battery cases and new Pride collection while everything is up to 50% off. 

DODOcase is introducing its first luxury leather iPad case today. The brand has been among our favorite Apple gear accessory makers for years, not in the least because of its online customizer options. DODOcase is one of the “original iPad case manufacturers in the United States,” but it has, for the most part, never really tried its hand in the luxury leather iPad case game until today. Striving to keep traditional craftsmanship alive for the most modern tech releases, the brand has tapped into some materials used in very high-end luxury purses and bags to deliver its new Noblessa Leather iPad Case without quite hitting the exorbitant prices some of those products come along with. Head below for a closer look and more details. 

It’s time to take a closer look at the SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro MagSafe protective iPhone case. The brand has been known for its more-affordable-than-most ultra-protective iPhone cases for quite some time and it just issued its first MagSafe-equipped version of the Unicorn Beetle last month. Delivering a fully encapsulated home for iPhone 13 Pro Max with a built-in screen protector and job site-ready build, the new Unicorn Beetle also delivers a unique kickstand MagSafe ring and included belt holster to iPhone 13 Pro Max users that need a rugged sheath for their most precious piece of EDC. Head below for our hands-on look at the new MagSafe protective iPhone case in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys. 

We have gathered all of Friday’s best Android app deals to head into the weekend with. Check out the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G while they are on sale before you dive into this afternoon’s software offers as well. Our collection is highlighted by titles including Samorost 3, The Last Dream (Full), Shattered Plane, Chess Coach Pro, and much more. Head below for a complete look at all of today’s Android app deals courtesy of Google Play. 

A new SEGA mini console has just been unveiled known as the Mega Drive 2. Set for launch later this year and seemingly coming out of nowhere, it looks like the powers that be over at SEGA have decided the mini console trend isn’t quite over with just yet. While the complete Mega Drive 2 game list is still yet to be unveiled we do have a decent idea of the library, including a series of rarely re-released classics, the only question is whether or not it will make it stateside. Head below for a closer look at the new Mega Drive 2 SEGA mini console. 

After seeing the latest coming to PlayStation back in March before the dedicated Harry Potter RPG event, Sony’s June State of Play showcase is set to kick off right now. Some of the latest details on PlayStation VR2 trickled out with what appeared to be 20 upcoming launch titles last week, but we are set to get our first look at more than just Call of the Mountain Horizon game we already knew about today. Those along with what Sony is referring to as “some exciting reveals” from third-party partners are all scheduled to make an appearance in today’s PlayStation presentation. Head below to follow along with the latest State of Play showcase. 

Focusrite is unveiling its new podcast audio interface lineup today. The Vocaster One and Vocaster Two – alongside a series of studio packs that includes mics, headphones, and accessories – are specifically aimed at content creators and podcasters looking to introduce some sleek lightweight I/O to their production studios. A series of automatic tonal and input level adjustments highlight the feature set here next to the clean designs and rounded form factor. Head below for more details. 

Algoriddim is unveiling a major update today to introduce the “world’s first AI based Digital Vinyl System (DVS) for mobile devices” alongside a physical patent-pending Neural Mix Vinyl to support it. The next-generation update for Algoriddim’s djay app is looking to make iPhone and iPad the “brains of the DJ booth.” It delivers full control over its DJ software on iOS devices using special time code vinyl with a pair of turntables negating the need to use laptops, MacBooks, and portable drives in the booth – essentially the ability to mix and scratch digital music files on proper analog turntables via iOS. Head below for more details on the new Digital Vinyl System and Neural Mix Vinyl record. 

After taking a hands-on look at the new FLKey for FL Studio last month, Novation is back with its new keyboard controller known as the Launchkey 88. This time around featuring the semi-weighted treatment, this is the latest addition to its already available lineup of more compact Launchkey controllers. The full-size 88-key MIDI keyboard delivers much of the same functionality as its smaller brethren in a larger more expansive frame so you can get two hands of more realistic piano-style action injected into your content creations and music productions. Head below for a closer look and more details.